Working Night Shifts Could Increase Asthma Risks for Women

Stepping out at night is a daunting task for women in our country, but then life goes on, and so do the night shifts. While most of the world sleeps, your day has just begun, as this unconventional schedule is the bread and butter of industries such as healthcare, security, and logistics.

Even though people working the graveyard shift keep the lights on for big institutions, there is a side to this that doesn’t get talked about very often. This article will shed light on the health implications that come with working night shifts and reveal a shocking, recently discovered connection to asthma.

The graveyard shift refers to late-night working hours, typically between 12 AM and 8 AM, although this may vary depending on the particular industry or time slot. At times, they rotate the shifts, which makes it even more difficult for the workers to adjust.

The most problematic aspect of the graveyard shift is that it interferes with our circadian rhythm, which dictates when we should sleep, eat, and even perform daily bodily functions, all of which are governed by an internal body clock. Any interference with this rhythm can disrupt the hormonal cycles of your body, metabolism, and even affect the immune system.

The graveyard shift is the reality for millions of workers, including doctors, nurses, call centre employees, hotel staff, and many others, who constantly stave off tiredness, have the most unusual sleep schedules, and struggle to remain healthy despite their bodies' demands for sleep.

The issue with night shifts is not just about staying awake, but also about staying alive, as your body begs for sleep. It doesn’t matter if you’re a night owl or someone new to night shifts; it is crucial to know what you have signed up for and how it can affect you in the long run.

New studies have made a disturbing revelation that women who work overnight are at risk of developing asthma. According to a study by Gizmodo, the odds of having asthma were 36% in women who work night shifts as compared to those whose schedules were normal.

What is the cause of this risk? Here are the main reasons:

1. Low Melatonin Production: Graveyard shift workers, who work at night, often experience disrupted sleep schedules. This hinders the release of a hormone called melatonin, which plays a crucial role in regulating sleep and suppressing inflammation.

2. Lung Function and Inflammation: Low levels of melatonin can lead to increased inflammation and impaired lung capacity, both of which are strongly correlated with the occurrence and progression of asthma.

3. Circadian rhythm disturbance: Night shifts disrupt the biological clock and upset your hormonal and immune system, which may worsen the asthma.

4. Gender-Specific Vulnerability: The research discovered that the risk of asthma in women was higher, and this may have been as a result of: Hormone fluctuations, differences in immune response, and different reactions to circadian disruption compared to men.

The researchers examined women from various industries who worked the exact night shift timings, which raised a question: Is working the night shift bad for health? As a woman who works night duty and has to stay up all night, it's high time you took control of your respiratory health.

Night shifts aren’t just bad for your lungs but also send your overall health for a toss. Here are some key disadvantages of these graveyard shifts:

1. Metabolic Mayhem: Doing night shifts increases the probabilities of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, all of which are caused by irregular eating patterns and hormonal imbalances.

2. Mental Health: Depression, anxiety, and mood disorder rates are higher than ever among night shift workers. This is usually associated with isolation and poor exposure to natural sunlight.

3. Digestive Distress: Working the graveyard shift can be a nightmare as far as digestion is concerned, leading to other issues such as acid reflux, IBS, and ulcers.

4. Cancer Concerns: Too much night work has also been associated with some cancers, especially breast cancer among women, which can be caused by a progressive suppression of melatonin.

5. Relational and Social Strain: Not spending time with family, friends, or partners can cause emotional distancing and isolation among them, straining your relationships and inducing feelings of frustration.

Seeing this list, it's easy to understand that the answer to the question 'Are night shifts bad for health?' is often a resounding 'yes'.

Well, the good news is that you don’t have to turn into a walking corpse while doing the graveyard shift. Here are some tips to help you stay healthy when working a night shift, even when the schedule doesn't seem to work for you.

1. Sleep is your best friend, so invest in blackout curtains, sleep masks, and any other tools that help you sleep well without disturbance.

2. Pack snacks that are rich in protein and stable in terms of energy. Cut down on caffeine during your work hours, and find smart ways to fuel your body.

3. Staying hydrated is always important, so don’t forget to do so even when you’re working the night shift.

4. Taking a short nap before your shift can help you stay alert and avoid drowsiness.

5. Stay Active and do some pre-work or post-work exercise to improve blood circulation.

6. Visit your Doctor and have your blood pressure, cholesterol, and, most importantly, lung health checked frequently.

Let's face it, working the graveyard shift can be emotionally taxing. You feel disconnected from the outside world and miss weekend getaways, birthday dinners, and just regular life. You're not alone if you've ever asked yourself, "How do I feel about working nights and weekends?" and just felt frustrated, lonely, or resentful. These emotions are valid and deserve to be voiced out and understood.

Finding a network of support, whether it's from online forums, co-workers, family, or friends, can save you a lot of emotional turmoil and help you out whenever you feel stressed about your situation. You don't have to endure the graveyard shift alone.

The graveyard shift hour may be unavoidable for many people, but it is particularly risky, especially for women. From increased risk of asthma to other general physical and emotional impacts, the costs are real.

However, knowledge is power. By being aware of the hazards and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can regain control over the condition of your health, even in the dead of the night.